Mock Set-up for the Deepwood show

This weekend we enjoyed the nice weather but I also set up my display to make sure I have everything I'm going to need. At this point everything is priced, and situated but I still have 2 more pairs of earrings to finish and 7 Austen necklaces to make. Then I'll pack up everything and look forward to the show Sept. 16 & 17.

F-a-b-u-l-o-u-s

The photo shoot was so much fun. All of my models looked absolutely beautiful! I picked this photo for the booth banner and my design book. I have a little more work to do on it in PhotoShop, but you can see what counts now.

Thanks to all the ladies (Kathleen, Meghan, Angela, Kathy, Ana, Anne, Kara, Nameun, and Kay)! You look amazing and made my new enameled designs look pretty good too. I appreciate all your love, encouragement, and support over the years.

$5 French Market

I have found an Etsy shop that creates amazing handcrafted French inspired tags, gifts, and more. Every listing in the shop is an affordable $5. By the time I buy the paper, stamps, ribbon, and glitter I’m way over $5 and out of time. This shop’s concept is amazing to me and the creativity involved is above and beyond. I just love that anyone can afford these handcrafted goodies with so much style. $5 French Market is definitely worth checking out, admiring, and finding a lovely goodie you can’t live without.

strike a post

In a week I’ll be having a photo shoot! I’m really excited and hope it turns out how I’m picturing it. The photo shoot is of 9 special ladies who have encouraged and supported me in my jewelry business. They will be wearing earrings and necklaces from my collection and I’ll be using the photo to create a large vinyl banner for my display and the cover of my designs book (created with MyPublisher). My plan is to take tons of pictures in a short amount of time so that I have several to choose from. Everyone will get to approve the final selection, and then I’ll get to play with PhotoShop to process it. I was inspired to do this after doing a show in the Sellwood district of Portland, Oregon. I met a fabulous crafter there, owner of Hortense and Eloise, and she had a beautiful vertically hanging vinyl banner as her backdrop. It added so much professionalism and it was so eye catching that it stayed in my mind. The designer is very creative and specializes in vintage inspired stuffed bears and bunnies, and children’s aprons. She also has a knack for jewelry design and fixing up old homes; she's multi-talented. She is so funny and sweet, the type of person you could talk to for hours and I wish her all the success and fortune possible. Check out her shop, Christmas is coming up and her prices are fantastic.

Plans, plans, and more plans

It seems like I’m always planning something, big or small makes no difference; my mind is always thinking up something and the planning commences. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the last year though is to not invest too much into my own plans. I’ve come to realize time and time again in my life and through others’ lives that our plans aren’t always the best. God has bigger and brighter plans for us in His timing and His will. I had an inteview today for a position that looks really good, I know I could do a great job, and I’m ready for a change, but this time I’m not going to be so invested in case it’s not God’s plan for me. I will be dissapointed of coarse, but I’m not resolved to thinking it’s the only direction I could go. If I’m not offered the job it’s for a reason bigger than I can conceive. So I’m going to do my best in the interview, learn more about myself through the experience, and wait to see what God wants to do with it. As I’m faced with a possible change, I’m content with whatever direction I’m taken.

Arts Festival in the Forest

If you’re looking for a free event with art, food, culture, entertainment, and more; check out Arts Festival in the Forest. It’s happening August 13 & 14, 10am – 5pm at the Mary S. Young Park in West Linn, Oregon. Photographer Jason Jantzi will be exhibiting his work. He has a talented eye for capturing images and he offers a wide selection. You can also visit his site or Facebook page to follow his work. I think the weather is going to be perfect for such an event, and it’s family friendly!

the BIG picture

I’m busy, you’re busy, we’re all busy, right? But that’s why we need to keep the ‘big picture’ in mind. This last weekend was really nice. The weather was lovely and after a Friday night wedding the weekend was pretty open. Saturday was a low-key day, spent some time with my family and some time working off my checklist. Sunday was a full day of family fun and I enjoyed every minute. I often feel anxious about all the things I’m not getting done or need to do but I allowed myself to enjoy the present company and this precious time we had together. So while day to day I’m going through life (small picture), I don’t want to lose sight of the ‘big picture’, my purpose, and what I hold dearest to my heart, God and my family. My husband, daughter, and I drove up to Portland and grabbed delicious snacks at Coffee People (best banana shakes ever) and then we headed for Multnomah Falls. Apparently everyone had the same good idea, but we entered in a round about way and found a good parking spot and hiked a bit up to the fall. It was so much fun and we loved watching our 5 year old hike the path and act all grown up (pumping her arms for the exercise). Then we stopped in Troutdale to have Subway before going over to Blue Lake. Again, everyone had the same idea but it wasn’t congested and Sawyer loved the water feature and playing in the lake. After her lips turned as blue as the lake she was done and slept well on the drive home. The whole day was so nice and I hope a lasting memory for our daughter. She’s starting Kindergarten this fall but before I know it she’ll be graduating high school so I don’t want to miss out or regret time spent elsewhere. I’m trying to keep the big picture in mind every day.